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Exodus 34:27-35 My Presence
Will God with You: The Skin of His Face Shone

Introduction:

I have read on the golden calf incident in a recently published
commentary on the Old Testament which downplays the significance of the
idolatrous rebellion. The author admits that what happened “angered Yahweh,”
but it is as if he didn’t categorize it as sin. The people were sinful and
rebellious from the time Yahweh God led them out of Egypt.

Let me briefly take you from Egypt to the Wilderness:

1. Exodus 14:11-12
“Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? … better for us to
serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the
wilderness.”

3. Exodus 16:2-3 “The
whole congregation…complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness…’for you have brought us
out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’”

4. Exodus 16:20
“Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses.”

5. Exodus 16:26-28
“Six days you will gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none. Now it happened that
some of the people went out on the seventh day to
gather, but they found none. And the LORD said to Moses, ‘How long do you
refuse to keep My commandments and My
laws?’”

6. Exodus 17:2-3 “The
people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt to kill us and
our children and our livestock with thirst?’”

7. Exodus 32:1
“And when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to
Aaron, and said to him, ‘Come, make us gods, which
shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the
land of Egypt, we do not know what has
become of him.’”

Internal Preview:

The people were a sinful people. They were rebellious from outset. It
is only by God’s willingness to forgive the people that Israel did not die out
in that wilderness. That is how Moses could be told, “The LORD, the LORD God,
merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and
abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…”

In Exodus 34:10 Yahweh responds to Moses’ intercession as only God
Almighty can: “Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do
marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all
the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD. For it is an
awesome thing that I will do with you.”

Let’s Read Our Main Text- This is the Word of God

Part 1: Writing the Words

A. God made a covenant with audible and then written WORDS

- God has revealed
Himself in words and as the Word become flesh.

a. Verses 27 and 28
have caused some confusion.

1. Exodus 34:1 says that Yahweh
wrote the words

2. Exodus
34:27 says that Yahweh told Moses to write the words

3. Exodus
34:28 only says “he” seemingly referring to Moses

b. So who wrote the
Ten Words?

- This
question is easily answered (though not on the surface) by understanding:

1. Moses
wrote all that God said in Ex. 34:10-26 as commanded in v. 27

And
much more as time went on according to God’s direction.

2. God
Himself wrote the Ten Words on the commandments

- We
understand that the “HE” in verse 28 is Yahweh when we balance this
verse with other Scripture. Scripture should be the interpreter of Scripture.

c. It should be noted
that Bible never calls these the “Ten Commandments.”

They are in fact the
“Ten Words” from the mouth and finger of God Almighty.

B. Forty Days and Nights

a. Forty days was the
length of the first trip up Sinai (Exodus 24:18)

b. This time the
people did not commit an horrific event because of impatience.

c. Deuteronomy 9:18
Moses explains that he fasted this time period because of their sin.

d. Deuteronomy 9:25
Also says that Moses prostrated himself during this time.

Connective: God has
made a covenant of oral and written words with the nation of Israel through His
mouthpiece Moses. We know that God continued the same with the new covenant as
the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The words were not for Moses, but
for the entire assembly of Israel. Thus Moses comes down the mountain to take
the word to the people.

Part 2: Moses came down from the Mountain v.29

A. Two Tablets

a. The two tablets were duplicates- one for Yahweh and one for Israel

b. Each stone most likely encompassed the Ten Words which would have
likely covered the front and back of each stone and were written by God
Himself.

B. The Skin of his face shone

a. Because he talked
with God

1. The
first time “Moses’ anger became hot” (Ex. 32:19)

2. The
second time “the skin of his face shone” (Ex. 34:29)

3. The
Hebrew, according to scholars, is best “the skin of his face sent forth rays”

or “horns of light.” This may be a play on
words to contrast the calf episode.

b. Moses did not know

1. Moses
did not even know what had happened but the people knew- they feared

2. That
Moses did not know that his face was shining tells us that being in the presence of God and experiencing His glory are in no way
painful for those whom His
favor rest upon. God’s glory is terrifyingly wonderful!

Connective: I have
already mentioned the people’s response, but let’s look into it further.

Part 3: The People’s Response v. 30-32

A. They were afraid to come near Moses

a. Remember that it wasn’t that long ago that God had said that if He
came in their midst He would consume them. And when the descent of God’s glory
was likened to a storm.

b. Moses now reflects God’s fiery aura in close proximity to the
people.

B. Returning to Moses

a. Aaron and the
leaders were the first to return to Moses and talk with him.

b. The people obeyed
Moses urging for them to come near (maybe because of fear)

c. Moses proclaimed to
them all that the LORD said.

C. Moses was the mouthpiece of God

a. It would not be the
people that made their own representative (the golden calf)

b. It would be God who
chose His means to reveal His Word (Moses)

c. How could anyone
doubt that Moses was a prophet chosen by God when hearing the formal proclamation of God’s Words and seeing
the terrifyingly radiant face of Moses?

Connective (Internal Summary): God has revealed Himself in Words and He had a written covenant with
the people. It was Moses who first received the Word by God’s calling, returned
with the Word in a glorious fashion, and would proclaim the Word to the people.
The only significant detail left to be expounded is the veil that Moses wore
and I have intentionally deferred it until last because it will be the
summation of this series.

Part 4: Moses’ Veil v. 33-35

A. Moses veiled his face after he had finished speaking the words of
God

- Do you remember that I said Scripture is the best interpreter of
Scripture?

a. This chapter teaches us that Moses veiled his face from the people
so that they would not see the glory fading from it.

b. This teaches that the Old Covenant was merely a fading glory while
the new is lasting.

Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

B. Contrast

a. It is not that the
wrong was overtaken by the right à

It is that the old
is exceeded by the new, the partial is satisfied by the completion.

The awesome thing
that God promised is done.

b. 2 Corinthians 4:4 “The glory of God is in the face of Jesus Christ.”

c. It is Christ Jesus that has excelled. It is He that has
accomplished.

C. Unveiled before God / Veiled before Israel

a. The shining was in
no way harmful therefore Moses did not need this veil for his own comfort nor did he need to protect God from
God’s own reflected glory thus he took it off when
with God. Moses wore the veil in an effort to not frighten the people.

b. Paul tells us that
Moses did not want the people to know that it the glory from the presence of God was fading. Moses had
access into the presence of God, but did not reside
in it continuously.

Conclusion:

The account of Moses’ face shining because he had been in the presence
of God concludes the significant narrative section of chapters 32 through 34.
Moses reviews in great detail what happened when he came off of that mountain
the second time. It demonstrated in dramatic fashion that Moses had really met
with God and been in His presence. It also proved to the people that God was
back in their camp and would be leading them. It showed that God was authentic
and influential to the point that one that spends time with Him reflects His
presence. Finally, the event of Moses’ face shining after the glorious graciousness
of God is imparted establishes the exceeding greatness of our Lord, Christ
Jesus.

If the Father was seen as a glorious God in the face of Moses then how
much greater should His glory be viewed in the face of the Son, Jesus Christ?
How much more complete are His people through the ministry of the Spirit?

This same glorious God who promised His presence to a small, seemingly
insignificant, rebellious nation has also promised His presence to us. Jesus
told the disciples, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
Ephesians says that all of us believers are “being built together into a
dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” And 1 John 4 says, “No man has seen God
at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us and His love is perfected
in us.”

His presence will go with us; though not by our
efforts but because He has chosen us in Christ!

Exodus 34:1-9 My Presence
Will Go with You: The LORD Proclaims His Name

Introduction:

Great spiritual experiences are rare. We read in the Scripture stories
about the miraculous, there are many glorious events that take place, and many
question why those things no longer happen, especially to them! It should be
noted that the miraculous events in Scripture did not happen every day but over
thousands of years. God has never made a habit of proving Himself through
miracles. The way that He shows Himself is through Words. Today we will have a
great spiritual experience by reading God’s Word and He will reveal Himself to
us if we listen.

Internal Preview:

We will continue our study of Exodus chapters 33 and 34 today as we
discuss chapter 34 verses 1-9. This text describes the event that took place
after Moses requested to learn God’s ways and to see God’s glory. God
accomplishes both, as He said He would, in one event. Keep in mind that our
Scripture from last week also contains some of the details.

In these Words, God will tell us who He is…

READ SCRIPTURE- This is the Word of God

Point 1: Cut Two Tablets of Stone

A. These are great words of mercy to the ears of Moses.

B. The first set were supplied by God himself, this set is prepared by
Moses.

C. God is forgiving the people and activating the covenant once again.

Connective: God has
forgiven the people and given Moses the directives on reestablishing the
covenant- Moses is to cut new stones and present himself to the LORD in the
morning. Surely Moses is going to the same place on the mountain where he had
met with God the other times. Unauthorized beings could not be around this
mountain when God was there less they were consumed for trespassing on holy
ground.

Point 2: Moses Rose Early in the Morning

A. As a side note, it is almost comical that this detail is mentioned.

a. Do we actually
think that Moses slept the night before?

b. Can you imagine the
suspense that night while trying to sleep?!

B. God’s presence with the people had been in limbo and Moses had spent
time with God the day before asking for forgiveness. After His mercy was
promised, Moses asked to see God’s glory. Now God said He would pass before
Moses, but it would be the next day.

C. It is logical to rise early in the morning:

1. Long journey2. Better climate3. Anxiousness4. Commanded

Connective: Moses did
all that the LORD commanded him by cutting two tablets of stone, rising in the
morning, and presenting himself on the mountain. As I noted in our Wednesday night
studies, especially in Matthew, but obviously in other places in Scripture, God
uses a mountain when bringing about a new revelation.

Point 3: The LORD Descended

A. The LORD descended- God’s dwelling place is considered to be above
ours.

He comes from a high
and holy place.

B. The cloud came down and stood. Moses didn’t have some feeling or
dream of a concept. He knew that there was a real, personal being in his
presence. It was YAHWEH.

C. In the cloud- not just “a” cloud, but “the” cloud.

a. Of course Moses had
seen this cloud before.

b. Moses had actually
been in the midst of the cloud.

c. The cloud would
cover the entire mountain.

D. The LORD passed before him- all of God’s glory (goodness)
surrounding Him

a. Exodus 33:18-19
Point out again that God equates His glory with His goodness

b. Exodus 33:21-23
Details of the “passing”

Connective: This
encounter is unlike the other times that Moses witnessed the cloud of God since
Moses had seen the cloud and had actually been covered by it. This time is
different because God shows Moses a glimpse of His glory and proclaims His
name.

Point 4: Proclaimed the Name of the LORD

A. “The LORD, the LORD God”

a. God repeats His
name for emphasis, no doubt.

b. There is none like
Him. Yahweh literally means “I AM” or “I CAUSE TO BE”

c. The proclamation of
God’s name to Moses may be considered more significant than physically seeing God’s glory. It’s God’s Name that really reveals His glory.

b. God never clears
anyone without intercession being made- that is justice

c. Visiting the
iniquity of the fathers

aa. Many
have misapplied these words.

bb. The
original context of this statement is Exodus 20:5 where God says, “of
those who hate me.”

cc. For
the Scripture says in Deuteronomy 24:16, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children,
neither shall the children be put to death forthe
fathers: each one shall be put to death for his own sin.”

Connective: The point
is that God is more willing to show His mercy than wrath, but His justice is
very real. He will visit the sin of every individual that hates Him.

Conclusion:

Moses Made Haste--

Moses made haste to humble himself because of this glorious. He quickly
bowed his head and worshiped. God’s glory and His goodness should impel us to
worship Him and Him alone. Make haste to worship God. He has revealed Himself
to you this day.

God desires for us to acknowledge Him and to
walk with Him. He is a great God of mercy, grace, longsuffering, and abounding
love and truth. God is near to us. His presence is with us. We must continue to
call upon the LORD and learn of His ways.

Exodus 33:12-23 My Presence Will
Go with You: The Promise of His Presence

Introduction:

One point that I was not able to get to last week is the significance
of the end of verse eleven in chapter thirty-three. I would like to make a few
comments on that before we move on to today’s text. Joshua did not depart from
the tabernacle that had been set up even when Moses would leave. We know that
Joshua goes on to do great things, becoming Moses’ successor. It is noteworthy
that Joshua did not depart from the tent of meeting. The presence of God had
moved outside the camp, so Joshua moved outside the camp. I really like Joshua…
Perhaps Joshua cared for the tent in some way. The Bible says that he was a
servant which simply means minister. “Joshua did not depart from the
tabernacle.” He did not want to leave the place of God’s presence.

Now we move on to today’s main text and we find Moses mediating. God
chose Moses to do and say these very things. According to God, grace and
forgiveness could only come by intercession and God Himself raised up Moses for
this role. God is always at work, doing good even when we don’t deserve it.

Internal Preview:

Moses says, “Show me now Your way” which God responds “My presence will
go with you” and Moses is not finished and goes on to say, “Show me Your glory.”

READ SCRIPTURE- This is the Word of God

Point 1: Show Me Now Your Way

A. Moses needed a concrete fact that he could receive grace from God.

a. God had said “I
know you by name” = I have singled you out.

b. God had said “You
have found favor/grace with me”

c. Now He wants God to
give him indisputable proof of this grace.

B. Moses also did this that he may know God = Teach me Your ways
is a good translation

a. Moses knew that the
only way for Him to stay in that grace was to be taught.

b. Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

C. God’s way is forgiveness; His way is grace. It is the manner in
which God will go with them that Moses desires to know.

a. 2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, His
way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is proven.

b. The Psalms declare:
“Good and upright is the
LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the
way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
The LORD is righteous in all
his ways, and holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call
upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will
save them.”

Connective: After
Moses’ request to learn God’s ways, God answers by saying that He would go with
Moses. Now that is grace. After all that Moses had been through, the sin that
he had committed, and the disobedience of his people, God showed him His ways-
which is grace. It is a merciful God that will go with Moses despite the
instability of the people.

Point 2: My Presence Will Go with You

A. Let me know whom You will send with me- My presence will go with you

a. Literally God says, “My face will go with you.”

b. Moses didn’t want God to go with him alone, but also with the
people.

B. I will give you rest

a. Rest here refers to
settling in the promised land.

b. There is also an
idea of “faith rest” that must be taught.

aa. Moses
could rest in faith based on God’s promise.

bb. We
must rest in faith based on God’s promises.

C. Separate from all the people of the earth

a. I must say it again
because the text forces me to- Who are we without God?

b. It is God’s
presence among us that separates us from all the world.

D. “You have found grace in My sight.”

a. God’s grace was
rooted in His intimate knowledge of Moses.

b. It was Moses’
request, which God ordained, that allowed God to forgive.

Connective (Internal Summary):

It seems that God forgave Israel very quickly and with little effort
from Moses. Doesn’t it take more? Isn’t it harder to earn grace like this? No…
God had every intention of forgiving the people in the first place.

God is both Just and Justifier. After Moses knew the grace of God which
came in that promise, he asks the LORD to show him His glory.

Point 3: Show Me Your Glory

A. Glory = Goodness (In God’s words)

a. Glory is actually defined as weight. God shows how weighty He is,
His worth.

b. I will be gracious (compassion) to whom I will be gracious
(compassion).

“For
he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have
compassion. So then it is not of him that wills,
nor of him that runs, but of God that
shows mercy. For the scripture says to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that
I might show my power in you, and that my name
might be declared throughout all the earth.”

B. You cannot see My face.

a. The following
verses are a great mystery.

b. In the preceding
verses which we have covered Moses saw something, but it was apparently very limited for God said,
“You cannot see My face.”

c. John 4 teaches that
God is spirit, so this must have been a great spiritual experience and also a
great manifestation of the one glorious God.

C. Seeing God’s Glory

a. To see God’s glory,
Moses had to stand on a rock and God would put Moses in a cleft (a cave)
and cover Moses with His hand because no one can see God and live.

b. God said that He
would remove His hand so that Moses could see His back.

c. “Hand” and “Back”
are terms used to describe the realities of God in a way that we can understand.

d. This may be best
understood that God was allowing Moses to see the “after-effects” of His glory that would pass by.

Conclusion:

When Abraham was taking Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice him, Abraham
said God would provide for Himself the lamb. In this situation with Israel, God
provides for Himself the means of forgiving them. In His sovereignty, God
raised up Moses to intercede for the people. It is by that intercession that
God could forgive the people.

The glorious presence of God Almighty is what Moses really desired and
what we desire.

Let us model what the text teaches us:

1. Intercession (prayer) finds for us forgiveness that God is waiting
to bestow.

- The NT teaches that
if we confess our sins that God is quick/faithful to forgive.

2. It is by learning God’s ways that we can stay in His grace.

- Learning from Him
makes us faithful people.

3. Seek God’s glory.

- We should long to
experience God’s worth.

*God’s presence will accompany intercession before
Him, learning His ways, and seeking His glory.